370Z to 996 Turbo

Roadster4Us · 07-20-2012, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cossie1600

You can always go out and buy a 944 and pretend you have a real Porsche

914, go big or go home.

christian370z · 07-22-2012, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadster4Us

914, go big or go home.

Haha, throw in a subie boxer engine and call it a day!

bigsix · 07-26-2012, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by christian370z

So I've been toying with the idea of selling the Z at some point this year and moving on to something else. I love my Z and it's almost exactly how I want to set it up, but I wish it felt a bit more special at times as it is incredibly effective at achieving a high level of performance and precision but isn't the most communicative at times.

I've always loved any 911 turbo, especially the 993 Turbo I used to detail for a client. It was midnight blue, tan interior and the 6mt and he would let me drive it once in a while... That was an amazing car. But they are way too expensive for what they are in my opinion, almost rivaling some earlier 997 turbos in price which is kind of crazy.

So I had been wanting a 996 Turbo for a while and you can find a number of them for the mid to low $30k range. I got an offer from my local Nissan dealership to buy my Z ($30k without even negotiating), which just goes to show how strong resale is on the Z!

Things I'm looking for:

-Back seats (even if they are barely usable, want them just in case of a pinch)
-Reliability (996Ts are very reliable if all problem areas are addressed)
-Driving experience (love the way it feels to drive a Porsche)
-Huge power potential
-Looks

What do you all think about my thoughts on the 996 Turbo? If anyone has experience or some good points on what to look for when buying one, please post up. :hattip: TIA!

That's cool that you've thought a lot about the 996 turbo. From the information I've gathered, the turbo model for the 996 generation was the number 1 most reliable & well-built. Naturally, regular maintenance is expensive for being a semi-exotic, but it is not known to need huge repairs or rebuilding. These cars are attractive because of what you get for your money. 997 is still very expensive, while a new/er Boxster offers a lot of Porsche's performance & pedigree at a lower level.

How would you describe the Porsche (911) driving experience ? I've not driven one before. My Dad tells me his favorite car of all time is the Porsche 911. He owned a 1984 Carrera targa, which he loved so much.

While he claims the best car was his Lexus LS400, the favorite was, hands down, carrera targa.

Good luck on the search and decision.

cossie1600 · 07-26-2012, 07:54 PM

997 GT3 is the way to go

DLSTR · 07-27-2012, 05:45 AM

The 996 turbo is a solid performance machine. Well revered around here In Stuttgart.
The intermediate shaft failure is not an issue nor is the RMS failure.
The normal service interval is 7500mi/12000 kilometers for basic oil service. Uses Mobil 1! The car has more performance than most can handle bone stock.
I like the look of the turbo, in particular the back. Great car and the prices are reasonable. Due diligence for an inspection and get a good one. Why wait

christian370z · 07-27-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsix

That's cool that you've thought a lot about the 996 turbo. From the information I've gathered, the turbo model for the 996 generation was the number 1 most reliable & well-built. Naturally, regular maintenance is expensive for being a semi-exotic, but it is not known to need huge repairs or rebuilding. These cars are attractive because of what you get for your money. 997 is still very expensive, while a new/er Boxster offers a lot of Porsche's performance & pedigree at a lower level.

How would you describe the Porsche (911) driving experience ? I've not driven one before. My Dad tells me his favorite car of all time is the Porsche 911. He owned a 1984 Carrera targa, which he loved so much.

While he claims the best car was his Lexus LS400, the favorite was, hands down, carrera targa.

Good luck on the search and decision.

While it's not my style, LS400s are great cars. Super reliable, very comfortable, and decently quick. I was toying around with the idea of getting one as a DD and may do that eventually. My dad has a 06 ls430 and I really like that car! I've driven thousands of miles in it and love the comfort and torque.

Every Porsche I have ever driven has a habit of making you feel special while driving it. I can't explain the feeling in any tangible way but it makes you feel great driving it. Very precise and communicative steering is one big reason for this, but everything just comes together and creates a unique experience. Go drive one and you'll see what I mean.

I may be young but I'm not foolish!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DLSTR

The 996 turbo is a solid performance machine. Well revered around here In Stuttgart.
The intermediate shaft failure is not an issue nor is the RMS failure.
The normal service interval is 7500mi/12000 kilometers for basic oil service. Uses Mobil 1! The car has more performance than most can handle bone stock.
I like the look of the turbo, in particular the back. Great car and the prices are reasonable. Due diligence for an inspection and get a good one. Why wait

I definitely plan on getting a PPI (prepurchase inspection), and you're right they are very reliable cars! I learned a lot about driving skills with the Z, I will always respect that the car will have a higher performance level than my driving skills until I completely learn how the car handles at the limits.

bigsix · 07-27-2012, 07:47 PM

[QUOTE=christian370z;1841890]While it's not my style, LS400s are great cars. Super reliable, very comfortable, and decently quick. I was toying around with the idea of getting one as a DD and may do that eventually. My dad has a 06 ls430 and I really like that car! I've driven thousands of miles in it and love the comfort and torque.

Every Porsche I have ever driven has a habit of making you feel special while driving it. I can't explain the feeling in any tangible way but it makes you feel great driving it. Very precise and communicative steering is one big reason for this, but everything just comes together and creates a unique experience. Go drive one and you'll see what I mean.

...]

Yeah, I can't wait to drive a Porsche ( specifically, a 911) There's a certain something special about a carrera when you see one on the street. So bad-***, but timeless & beautiful.

The most special car i've driven was my Dad's 1980 Mercedes S-class. It too, made you feel 'special' while driving it.

Now, going to drive my Mom's 2010 Maxima sedan :-) . . .

christian370z · 08-10-2012, 03:52 AM

If it was any color other than red, this would be my perfect 996! Drove next to the owner all the way from work and did some friendly pulls, what a beast. Nice guy too.

I want a 996TT so bad... I want it I want it I want it! I've always had a thing for the E39 M5 though, much more practical and low key

HKYStormFront · 08-10-2012, 07:07 AM

yea the E39 M5 is one of my "attainable dream cars". i'd love to own one. i've driven a several of them now and they are simply fantastic. to me, they drive like a slightly portly M3 and that's not a bad thing

Shamu · 08-13-2012, 10:22 PM

First mod I'd do to 996 is to ditch AWD with 2wd conversion. The stock car with AWD is a pig. Needs a major diet.

edub370 · 08-13-2012, 10:46 PM

just make sure the IMS bearing work has already been done. that is notorious to go out in the 996's, and when it does... bye bye engine.

BUT these are extremely reliable cars. hell, i would drive on errday!

08-10-2012, 03:52 AM	#53 (permalink)
christian370z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Newport Beach Posts: 3,900 Drives: 2010 370Z/Saab 900se Rep Power: 432	If it was any color other than red, this would be my perfect 996! Drove next to the owner all the way from work and did some friendly pulls, what a beast. Nice guy too. I want a 996TT so bad... I want it I want it I want it! I've always had a thing for the E39 M5 though, much more practical and low key __________________ -320whp / 259wftlbs- SP Rays -- RE-11s -- SpecialtyZ Tune -- Swift Springs -- Stillen 25R Oil Cooler -- Stillen G3 Intakes -- Berk HFCs -- F.I. 12" CBE -- Stillen Sway Bars -- Es14 Spring -- INGS+1 lip -- CF Spoiler -- GTR Start Button -- VLED Parking Lights -- PWJDM V2 shift knob

08-10-2012, 07:07 AM	#54 (permalink)
HKYStormFront A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Greer, SC Posts: 14,954 Drives: 06 Frontier SE 6spd Rep Power: 52	yea the E39 M5 is one of my "attainable dream cars". i'd love to own one. i've driven a several of them now and they are simply fantastic. to me, they drive like a slightly portly M3 and that's not a bad thing __________________ Patrick // 06 Frontier 6spd Nismosis // Mods: Uprev Tuned @ Z1 Motorsports: 257whp & 292 ft lbs 09 Pontiac G8 GXP // M6 // Sunroof // Tint... For now

08-13-2012, 10:22 PM	#55 (permalink)
Shamu A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,059 Drives: 370Z Racecar Rep Power: 19	First mod I'd do to 996 is to ditch AWD with 2wd conversion. The stock car with AWD is a pig. Needs a major diet. __________________ Grant

08-13-2012, 10:46 PM	#56 (permalink)
edub370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: KCMO Posts: 3,458 Drives: 09 370z S/T 6MT Rep Power: 20	just make sure the IMS bearing work has already been done. that is notorious to go out in the 996's, and when it does... bye bye engine. BUT these are extremely reliable cars. hell, i would drive on errday! __________________ 09 370Z ST 6MT//Injen CAI//Greddy CBE//TP//TSW's//Swifts//Stillen lip//Whiteline sways 326whp/268tq

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07-26-2012, 07:54 PM	#49 (permalink)
cossie1600 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: californee way Posts: 5,380 Drives: 370, Leaf Rep Power: 30	997 GT3 is the way to go

07-27-2012, 05:45 AM	#50 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21267	The 996 turbo is a solid performance machine. Well revered around here In Stuttgart. The intermediate shaft failure is not an issue nor is the RMS failure. The normal service interval is 7500mi/12000 kilometers for basic oil service. Uses Mobil 1! The car has more performance than most can handle bone stock. I like the look of the turbo, in particular the back. Great car and the prices are reasonable. Due diligence for an inspection and get a good one. Why wait

07-27-2012, 07:47 PM	#52 (permalink)
bigsix A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Thailand Posts: 2,227 Drives: Honda City/Mazda 2 Rep Power: 19	[QUOTE=christian370z;1841890]While it's not my style, LS400s are great cars. Super reliable, very comfortable, and decently quick. I was toying around with the idea of getting one as a DD and may do that eventually. My dad has a 06 ls430 and I really like that car! I've driven thousands of miles in it and love the comfort and torque. Every Porsche I have ever driven has a habit of making you feel special while driving it. I can't explain the feeling in any tangible way but it makes you feel great driving it. Very precise and communicative steering is one big reason for this, but everything just comes together and creates a unique experience. Go drive one and you'll see what I mean. ...] Yeah, I can't wait to drive a Porsche ( specifically, a 911) There's a certain something special about a carrera when you see one on the street. So bad-***, but timeless & beautiful. The most special car i've driven was my Dad's 1980 Mercedes S-class. It too, made you feel 'special' while driving it. Now, going to drive my Mom's 2010 Maxima sedan :-) . . .